Device for dividing the storage space behind a seat in a vehicle, especially a private car

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device for dividing ( 41, 42 ) the storage space behind a seat, comprising a storage floor ( 21 ) having a horizontal hinge ( 22 ). The storage floor ( 21 ) can be unfolded ( 46 ) or folded up in relation to the vehicle floor. Said hinge ( 22 ) enables the storage floor ( 21 ) to alternate between being in a storage position and a non-storage position. The invention aims to facilitate structure and handling. In order to achieve this, the storage floor ( 21 ) is fixed to the rear ( 19 ) of the seat by means of the hinge ( 22 ), forming a unit comprising the storage floor ( 21 ) and seat, which can be pre-assembled. In the non-storage position, the storage floor ( 21 ) folds onto the rear side ( 19 ) of the back of the seat ( 12 ) and is fixed thereto by a retaining means ( 30 ). In the storage position ( 21.2 ), the storage floor ( 21 ) juts out of the back of the seat ( 12 ) and is held in position by means of supporting surfaces ( 28 ). Said storage floor forms an upper storage floor ( 25 ) located above the vehicle floor.

[0001] The invention pertains to a device of the type indicated in theintroductory clause of claim 1. The interior space of a vehicle isdefined both by its volume and also by the extent to which that volumecan actually be used. The volume itself results from the configurationof the interior space, which is determined by the various interiorcomponents such as the seats. The storage space behind the backrests ofthe seats is what primarily determines the usefulness of that volume.

[0002] In the known device of the type in question, the floor of thestorage space consists of a cover panel, which normally seals off arecessed well in the floor of the vehicle (company brochure:Daimler-Benz AG, VP/KW 6701·1403·00-00/00897, “The Mercedes-Benz AClass”, pp. 36 and 37). The visible side of this cover panel is linedwith carpeting, which continues forward along the floor of the vehicleunderneath the seat. As a result, a so-called “film hinge” is created bythe carpet at the transition point underneath the seat between the coverpanel and the floor of the vehicle. When the cover panel is flipped upwhile the seat is in its normal position, the cover panel strikes thebackrest of the seat. Although it is then possible to use the lowerstorage space in the well underneath the cover panel to hold cargo, thepanel is not secured in its flipped-up position. It is thereforenecessary to tie the flipped-up cover panel in position with a cord, forexample. To obtain a large storage space, both the seat part and thebackrest must be repositioned twice from their normal positions. It isimpossible to move the cover panel into a position beyond its flipped-upposition, however, because this would put too much stress on the hingeformed by the carpet. In any case, the interior of the vehicle becomeshighly unattractive when the cover panel is flipped up, for which reasonthe flipped-up position is used only when necessary, never under normalconditions. Under normal conditions, therefore, one makes do with thepartial space above the cover panel covering the recessed well. The wellis usually used only to store important tools for the vehicle such astools for changing flat tires, which are gladly kept out of sight by thecover panel over the well.

[0003] In a modified device, in which the various sub-spaces are notcombined into a single, large storage space when the cover panel is inits non-storage position (DE 198 02 077 A1), an insert is used to movethe cover panel from its low, normal level to a higher level. The ideaof this insert is to bring the floor of the storage space up to a levelwhich matches the loading edge of the trunk opening of the vehicle. Thisdevice is expensive and occupies too much space. The insert is a productwhich must be manufactured separately, and it also occupies a great dealof space in the vehicle when not being used. If it is stored outside thevehicle, it is not always available when needed. The work involved inadjusting the cover panel is also awkward, because the cover panel mustfirst be removed from its normal position; then the insert must be putin place; and finally the cover panel must then be laid on top of theinsert. Disassembly is equally cumbersome.

[0004] It is known that the floor of the trunk space of a motor vehiclecan be covered by a protective mat (DE 198 20 517 A1). The protectivemat consists of several folding sections and side parts, which meansthat the mat can be folded onto itself several times when not in use andstored in this folded-up state behind the backrest. The folded-up mat issecured in its storage location by a retaining device attached to themat. That is, the protective mat has a folding retaining part, by meansof which the mat can be buttoned to and unbuttoned from the rear surfaceof the backrest of the vehicle. The protective mat cannot be used todivide the storage space into sub-spaces.

[0005] The invention is based on the task of developing a reliabledevice of the type indicated in the introductory clause of claim 1,which is attractive when in its storage position and also in itsnon-storage position, which can be moved conveniently between these twopositions, and which can be held reliably in place in both. This isachieved by the features indicated in claim 1, to which the followingspecial meaning attaches:

[0006] In the invention, the seat and the cover panel form a structuralunit. This structural unit is produced as a complete system by asupplier. The buyer is required merely to perform the work required toinstall the seat in the interior of the vehicle. In the flipped-upposition, the cover panel lies against the backrest, where it is held inplace by retaining means. The cover panel serves in this case, first, asa safety component in the event of a crash: it reinforces the backrest.Especially when damping means are integrated into the cover panel, thecover panel also acts as an acoustic component when in the flipped-upposition, which considerably reduces the amount of unpleasant noise inthe interior of the vehicle when it is operating. The cover panel can beupholstered on the side opposite that which supports the cargo; when thepanel is in the flipped-up position, this upholstered side thuscompletes the upholstery of the backrest. This improves the dampingeffect and also increases the degree to which the danger of injury in acrash is reduced. The backrest supports the cover panel after it hasbeen flipped up, and the cover panel forms the rear surface of thebackrest of the seat. Regardless of whether the cover panel is in thisup position or in its down position, in which it supports the cargo, theobject according to the invention always presents a good opticalappearance. When the cover panel is moved between the up and the downposition, only the panel itself is moved, whereas the seat can usuallyremain stationary.

[0007] Additional measures and advantages of the invention can bederived from the subclaims, from the following description, and from thedrawings. The drawings present the invention in the form of schematicdiagrams, which illustrate several exemplary embodiments and positions:

[0008]FIG. 1 shows a side view of a vehicle with the seat according tothe invention, the seat being designed to form a single structural unitwith the cover panel, shown in a first position;

[0009]FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 show views of the structural unit shown in FIG.1 after the cover panel and the backrest of the seat have been movedinto three other positions;

[0010]FIG. 5 shows a perspective view, partially cut away, of a coverpanel belonging to the structural unit of FIG. 1;

[0011]FIG. 6 shows a schematic cross section, enlarged in comparisonwith FIG. 5 and partially cut away, through the cover panel along lineVI-VI of FIG. 5;

[0012]FIG. 7 shows a view similar to that of FIG. 1 of a secondembodiment of the structural unit according to the invention in a firstposition; and

[0013]FIG. 8 shows the structural unit according to FIG. 7 after thecomponents have been moved into a second position.

[0014] A vehicle floor 15 has a seat 10 in a defined position; the seatis divided into a flat seat part 11 and a backrest 12. These parts 11,12 are provided with an upholstered, resilient seating surface 13 on theseat part and an upholstered support surface 14 on the backrest 12. Awell 16 can be integrated into the floor of the vehicle, which can beclosed off when desired by a cover 17. For this purpose, shoulders 18are provided around the inside of the well.

[0015] A cover panel 21 is attached by a hinge 22 to the rear of theseat 10. In this case, the cover panel 21 is hinged by the hinge 22 tothe backrest 12. The hinge 22 determines an essentially horizontalfolding axis 23, as illustrated by the broken line in FIG. 5. In thisway, the flat seating part 11, the backrest 12, and the cover panel 21connected to the backrest form a single structural unit 20, which can bepreassembled as a complete unit. The hinge 22 is located in the lowerarea of the backrest 12.

[0016] The cover panel 21 usually occupies the position shown in FIG. 1,in which its utility surface 25, shown in FIG. 2, rests flush againstthe rear surface 19 of the backrest 12. This folded-up position ischaracterized by the auxiliary line 21.1 in FIG. 1 and is to be referredto as the “up” position of the cover panel 21. Retaining means 30 areprovided in the upper area of the folded-together components 12, 21.Opposite the utility surface 25, the cover panel 21 has a decorativesurface 24, which is visible in the up position of FIG. 1. Thisdecorative surface 24 is adapted in terms of shape and structure to thespaces and surfaces present in the area of the seat, i.e., to the bodyof the car in the storage area 40. In addition, the backrest 12 also hasthe sound-damping and sound-suppressing function already indicated.

[0017] By disconnecting the retaining means 30, the cover panel 21 canbe swung on the hinge 22 around an angle 46 into the down position shownin FIG. 2, which is illustrated by the corresponding auxiliary line21.2. The storage spade 40 extending as far as the upper edge of thebackrest 12 is thus divided into two sub-spaces 41, 42. With respect tothe cover 17, functioning as the lower cover panel, the cover panel 21assumes a superior position and thus becomes the “upper cover panel”with respect to 17. In its outward-projecting position shown in FIG. 2,the upper cover panel 21 is supported at its free edge by a shoulder 28in the interior of the car body.

[0018] As can be seen in FIG. 3, there is a joint fitting 31 between theflat seating part 11 and the backrest 12. This defines a joint axis 32.The backrest 12 can be tilted into various positions by means of a gearmechanism (not shown) included in the joint fitting 31. To actuate thismechanism, a handle 33, for example, which can be seen in FIG. 3, isused. It is obvious that motorized actuating means could also be usedfor this purpose. By means of this handle 33, the assembly consisting ofthe backrest 21 and the cover panel 21, currently in the up position,can be swung around an angle 39 into a horizontal position, shown inFIG. 3, where the support surface 14 of 12 on the one hand and theseating surface 13 of 11 on the other are in contact with each other.This assembly 21, 12 can here assume an essentially horizontal position.

[0019] In FIG. 3, furthermore, the cover 17 on the well 16 has beenremoved. As a result, a single large storage space, the size of whichhas been increased by the depth 43 of the well, is obtained. At leastthe height 44 of FIG. 3 is available to receive cargo. The cargo caneven extend into the space above the flat decorative surface 24 of thecover panel 21.

[0020] Proceeding from FIG. 3, it is possible to move the structuralunit 20 according to the invention into its additional position, shownin FIG. 4. For this purpose, the cover panel 21 is swung on its hinge 22away from the backrest 12 around an angle 47 which is twice that shownin FIG. 2. The storage space 40 is again divided into two sub-spaces 41,42, already seen in FIG. 2, provided that the cover 17 is still in theposition shown in FIG. 2. Otherwise, the lower level of the storagespace is increased by the depth 43 of the well. The utility surface 25of the cover panel 21 is essentially on the same plane as the rearsurface 19 of the backrest 12. Thus a single, large, continuous cargosurface 45 is obtained. This “down” storage position 21.2 of the uppercover panel 21 can, as in FIG. 2, be held in place by latches 35 (notshown) in the interior of the vehicle. These latches 35 and thecomplementary latching means are located, for example, at the rear edgeof the cover panel 21 and on the shoulder 28, which is a permanent partof the vehicle.

[0021] The hinge 22 in the first exemplary embodiment is located in thetransition area between the backrest 12 and the seat part 11. This alsoapplies to the second exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 7 and 8,which, however, is modified in the following way. In this structuralunit 20′, the upper cover panel 21′ is divided into two sub-panels 26,27, which are connected to each other by an auxiliary hinge 29. FIG. 7again shows the down position 20.2′. Here the two sub-panels 26, 27 arestretched out. In this case, too, the backrest 12 is folded down, asalso in FIG. 4, for which reason its rear surface 19 again forms asingle, large, continuous cargo surface 45 in the area of the upperlevel 41 of the storage space. Underneath the upper cover panel, thecorresponding lower storage level 42 is also available, where again, byinstalling or removing the cover 17 present there, the cargo space canbe increased if desired by the depth 43 of the well.

[0022]FIG. 8 shows the same structural unit 20′ with the backrest 12 inthe normal upright position. In addition, the two-part upper cover panel21′ is in this case moved into its special up position 20.1′. In thisposition, the utility surface of the forward sub-panel 26 shown in FIG.7 is in contact with the rear surface 19 of the backrest 12, and therear sub-panel 27 is in contact with the forward sub-panel 26. Thebottom surfaces 36, 37 of these two sub-panels 26, 27, i.e., the partswhich are facing downward in FIG. 7, are resting against each other inFIG. 8. The auxiliary hinge 29 has been moved from its stretched-out180° position of FIG. 7 into the folded, 0° position of FIG. 8. Aaccordion-like fold is therefore present. A compact panel package 34behind the rear surface 19 of the backrest 12 is thus obtained in the“up” position of FIG. 8.

[0023] It is obvious that the upper cover panel 21′ could also bedivided into more than two sub-panels 26, 27. Instead of the division ofthe upper cover panel 21′ in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle,it would also be possible to divide it in the transverse direction ofthe vehicle. Each panel section could be designed to fold with respectto the backrest 12 independently of the others. Insofar as, in thiscase, the seat 10′ to which upper cover panel 21′ is attached is alreadydivided longitudinally into sections, the upper cover panel will also bedivided longitudinally in a manner corresponding to the division of theseat. It would also be possible for the upper cover panel 21 or 21′ notto extend over the entire height of the backrest 12 but rather over onlya part of it, so that several auxiliary panels could be arranged oneabove each other. Each of these could then consist in turn of severalsub-parts, which could be moved in their entirety or in stages from theup position 20.1′ to the down position 20.2′. In this way, the singlelarge storage space 40 can be divided into more than two sub-spaces.

[0024]FIGS. 5 and 6 show an advantageous design for this type of uppercover panel 21. First, in correspondence with the difference in theirfunctions, the utility surface 25 will be designed differently from theother, decorative surface 24, i.e., the surface which is visible whenthe panel is in the up position 20.1. The utility surface 25 will bemade especially strong to withstand the mechanical stresses exerted onit by the cargo. The decorative surface 24, however, will be designed tomatch the style of its surroundings. For the previously mentioned gooddamping function of the upper cover panel 21, it is recommended that amulti-layer design be used, which is illustrated with particular clarityin FIG. 6. A laminate 50 made up of several layers 51-54 is presenthere. The uppermost layer 51 represents the utility surface 25 andconsists of, for example, a scratch-resistant material. Then comes asupport layer 52, which is designed to provide dimensional stability.This is followed by an upholstery layer 53 of foam, etc., which isfollowed finally by a decorative layer 54. This decorative layer 54 canadvantageously be wrapped around the edges to conceal the lateral edges38 of the upper cover panel 21 and extend all the way to the uppermostlayer 51 forming the utility surface 25.

[0025] To increase the effectiveness of the damping, both the upholsterylayer 53 and also the support layer 52 can themselves be divided intoseveral sub-layers. Knowledge of the principles by which acousticelements are designed will be helpful here. Various functional partswhich must be accessible from the utility surface 25 can be integratedinto the uppermost layer 51. Such functional parts could includefriction strips for holding the cargo, tie-down rings for securing thecargo, and handles for folding the upper cover panel up and down. In thelatter case, the folding is done by hand. It is obvious that motorscould also take over the job of swinging the upper cover panel 21 aroundthe small angle 46 of FIG. 2 or the large angle 47 of FIG. 4. In asimilar manner, as previously mentioned, it would also be possible tomotorize the job of adjusting the angle of the backrest 12 or of theassembly consisting of the backrest 12 and the upper cover panel 21according to FIG. 3 around the tilt angle 38, which can be seen in FIG.3.

[0026] For the sake of reducing weight and increasing the dimensionalstability, it is recommended that the support layer 52 be provided witha honeycomb structure 48, for example, as can be derived from FIG. 6. Inthe present case, it is assumed that the intermediate layer 49 iscorrugated and is sandwiched between two flat panels 55, 56. The upperpanel 55 carries the uppermost layer on which the cargo rests, whereasthe lower panel 56 is used to support the layer of upholstery 53. Listof Reference Numbers 10 seat (FIGS. 1-4) 10′ seat (FIGS. 7, 8) 11 flatseat part of 10, 10′ 12 backrest of 10, 10′ 13 seating surface of 11 14support surface of 12 15 floor of vehicle 16 well 17 cover of 16 18interior shoulder in 16 for 17 19 rear surface of 12 20 structural unitconsisting of 10, 21 (FIGS. 1-4) 20′ structural unit consisting of 10′,21′ (FIGS. 7, 8) 21 upper cover panel (FIGS. 1-4) 21′ upper cover panel(FIGS. 7, 8) 21.1 up position of 21 on 12 (FIGS. 1, 3) 21.2 downposition of 21 with respect to 12 (FIGS. 2, 4) 21.1′ down position of21′ with respect to 12 (FIG. 7) 21.2′ down position of 21′ with respectto 12 (FIG. 7) 22 hinge between 12 and 21, and between 12 and 21′ 23horizontal fold axis of 22 for 21 (FIG. 5) 24 decorative surface of 2125 utility surface of 21 26 forward sub-panel of 21′ (FIG. 7) 27 rearsub-panel of 21′ (FIG. 7) 28 support shoulder for 21 (FIG. 2) 29auxiliary hinge between 26 and 27 (FIGS. 7, 8) 30 retaining means for 21on 12 (FIG. 1) 31 joint fitting between 12, 11 (FIG. 3) 32 joint axis of31 33 handle for 31 34 panel package consisting of 26, 27 in the foldedposition (FIG. 8) 35 latching means between 21 and 28 (FIG. 4) 36 bottomsurface of 26 (FIG. 7) 37 bottom surface of 27 (FIG. 7) 38 side area of21 (FIG. 6) 39 tilt angle of 12 or of 12, 21 (FIG. 3) 40 single largestorage space 41 upper level of 40 42 lower level of 40 43 depth of well44 maximum load height 45 single large cargo surface (FIG. 4) 46 smallfold angle of 21 (FIG. 2) 47 large fold angle of 21 (FIG. 4) 48honeycomb structure of 52 (FIG. 6) 49 corrugated intermediate layer of51 (FIG. 6) 50 laminate for 21 (FIG. 6) 51 uppermost layer of 25 (FIG.6) 52 support layer (FIG. 6) 53 upholstery layer (FIG. 6) 54 decorativelayer (FIG. 6) 55 upper panel of 51 (FIG. 6) 56 lower panel of 51 (FIG.6)

1. Device for dividing the storage space (40) behind a seat in avehicle, especially in a passenger car, where the seat (10) consists ofa flat seat part (11) and a backrest (12); with a cover panel, which hasa horizontal hinge along one edge; which hinge allows the cover panel tofold up and down with respect to the floor (15) of the vehicle and thusmoved between a storage position and a non-storage position; and withstationary support surfaces (28) in the vehicle, which position thecover panel in its storage, i.e., down, position a defined verticaldistance from the floor of the vehicle and divide the single largestorage space (40) into two levels, one above the other; whereas the twolevels combine to form a single large storage space (40) when the coverpanel is in its non-storage, i.e., up, position, characterized in thatthe cover panel (21) is attached by the hinge (22) to the rear surface(19) of the seat (10) and forms a preassembled structural unit (20)together with the seat (10); in that the cover panel (21), when in itsnon-storage position, rests flush against the rear surface (19) of thebackrest (12) and is held in this up position (21.1) by retaining means(30) located on the seat (10); and in that when the cover panel (21) isin its storage position, it projects out from the rear surface (19) ofthe backrest (12) and is positioned in this down position (21.2) by thestationary support surfaces (28) to form an upper cover panel (21),carried by the seat (10).
 2. Device according to claim 1, characterizedin that, when in the up position (21.1), the upper cover panel (21) isintegrated into the backrest (12).
 3. Device according to claim 1 orclaim 2, characterized in that the utility surface (25), which isinvisible in the up position (21.1) but which supports the cargo when inthe down position (21.2), is designed differently from the other,decorative surface (24) of the upper cover panel (21), which decorativesurface is visible in the up position (21.1) of the panel, where theutility surface (25) is mechanically strong, and the decorative surface(24) matches the style of its surroundings.
 4. Device according to oneof claims 1-3, characterized in that the upper cover panel (21) is madeup of multiple layers, and in that these layers (51-54) are assembled toform a laminate (50), where, when the upper cover panel (21) is in thedown position (21.2), the utility surface (25) forms the uppermost layer(51) in a dimensionally stable support layer (52), and where thedecorative surface (24) is the lowermost, decorative layer (54). 5.Device according to claim 4, characterized in that an upholstery layer(53), which has acoustic damping properties, is provided between thesupport layer (52) and the decorative layer (54).
 6. Device according toclaim 4 or claim 5, characterized in that the utility surface (25) ofthe upper cover panel (21) is provided with functional parts such asfriction strips, tie-down rings, handles, etc.
 7. Device according toone of claims 4-6, characterized in that the support layer (52) has ahoneycomb structure (48).
 8. Device according to one of claims 1-7,characterized in that the storage or down position (21.2) of the uppercover panel (21) is held in place by latching means (35) in the interiorof the vehicle.
 9. Device according to one of claims 1-8, characterizedin that the backrest (12) can pivot with respect to the flat seat part(11) between a seating function at a certain angle (39) to the seatingsurface (13) and a position opposite the seating surface (13) in whichthe rear surface (19) can fulfill a storage function; and in that thehinge (22) of the upper cover panel (21) is in a position at a certainlevel on the backrest; where the utility surface (25) of the upper coverpanel (21) and the rear surface (19) of the folded-forward backrest (12)form a single, large, essentially continuous storage surface (45). 10.Device according to one of claims 1-9, characterized in that the outlineand/or vertical profile of the upper cover panel (21) is adapted in theup position (21.1) and/or in the down position (21.2) to the3-dimensional spaces present in the seat area and/or to the shape of thecar body in the storage space (40).
 11. Device according to one ofclaims 1-10, characterized in that the hinge (22) of the upper coverpanel (21) is located in the transition area between the backrest (12)and the flat seat part (11).
 12. Device according to one of claims 1-11,characterized in that: the upper cover panel (21′) is made up of atleast two sub-panels (26, 27) arranged in sequence in the longitudinaldirection of the vehicle; in that the sub-panels (26, 27) are connectedto each other by an auxiliary hinge (29); in that when in the downposition (21.2′), the sub-panels (26, 27) are stretched out and combineto define the utility surface of the subdivided upper cover panel (21′),and in that, when in the up position (21.1), the sub-panels (26, 27)rest against each other in an accordion-like manner, resting as acompact panel package (34) against the rear surface (19) of the backrest(12).
 13. Device according to one of claims 1-12, characterized in thatthe upper cover panel (21′) is divided into at least two parts adjacentto each other in the transverse direction of the vehicle, each part ofthe panel being foldable by itself, independently of the other, withrespect to the backrest (12).
 14. Device according to claim 13,characterized in that the manner in which the upper cover panel (21′) isdivided into parts conforms to the way in which the seat (10′) isdivided in the longitudinal direction.
 15. Device according to one ofclaims 1-14, characterized in that at least one additional auxiliarypanel is provided, which is underneath and/or above the upper coverpanel (21) when the upper cover panel is its down position (21.2); andin that this auxiliary panel and the upper cover panel (21) cooperate todivide the single large cargo space (40) of the vehicle into severalsub-spaces.